El Niño's Extreme Weather Sparks Hunger Crisis in Zambia, Afghanistan, and Beyond

The United Nations' World Food Programme (WFP) has issued an urgent call for aid as extreme weather events linked to the El Niño phenomenon drive a surge in hunger in several countries, including Zambia, Afghanistan, Congo, and Sudan.

The El Niño phenomenon, a natural and temporary warming of the Pacific Ocean, is known to alter global weather patterns. As the world warms, studies suggest that El Niño events may become more intense. This year, El Niño is wreaking havoc on vulnerable communities, particularly in Southern Africa.

Southern Africa is the "epicenter of the crisis," according to the WFP, following relentless floods and drought over the past three years. Malawi, Zimbabwe, and Zambia are the hardest-hit countries. Drought in these regions has decimated 40-80% of staple corn crops, threatening millions.

Executive director of the WFP, Cindy McCain, visited Zambia and witnessed firsthand the severe impact of the drought on communities heavily reliant on agriculture. "We can't ask millions to wait a year for the next harvest season," McCain emphasized. "These families need our support now."

The WFP estimates that $409 million is urgently required to assist 4.8 million people in Malawi, Zambia, and Zimbabwe for six months. However, the need for aid extends beyond Southern Africa.

Congo and Afghanistan are also grappling with similar hunger crises due to changing weather conditions, leading to crop losses, livestock deaths, and population displacement. Conflict-stricken regions like Gaza and Sudan are also straining the WFP's aid capacity.

The crisis has prompted an appeal for aid from the Southern African Development Community (SADC), which estimates that $5.5 billion is needed to support over 61 million people affected by extreme weather in the region.

El Niño-induced drought and floods have had devastating impacts, including widespread cholera outbreaks and electricity shortages in countries like Zambia, which rely on hydroelectric generators.

Compounding the crisis, the African continent is particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change, despite contributing the least to its causes. Poorer countries often lack the resources to mitigate the impact of extreme weather events.

Prior to the recent floods and drought, Malawi, Zimbabwe, and Zambia were already experiencing alarming levels of food insecurity and malnutrition, with humanitarian assistance being hampered by funding shortages.

The three countries have declared national disasters due to the severity of the drought. The United Nations has estimated that around half of Zimbabwe's population requires urgent assistance. In East Africa, the non-profit Action Against Hunger has warned of an imminent hunger crisis in Kenya following catastrophic floods.

The WFP's call for aid is a reminder of the urgent need to address the hunger crisis triggered by El Niño and climate change. Supporting vulnerable communities through food assistance and long-term resilience-building measures is crucial to mitigate the devastation caused by extreme weather events and ensure food security for all.